Scripture has a unique way of speaking into our current lives even thought the words have been written many years ago. The words have a way of reminding us there is nothing which can escape the eyes of God. Not a single thing.
The enemy whispers his dirty little lies in attempts to make us think we are alone, or forgotten, or God isn’t at work in our lives.
Then God shows up in the reading of Scripture, or a devotional, and proves the enemy wrong.
Recently as I was reading, some thoughts went through my mind:
- God’s work in our lives will not be without pain. So why do we expect it to be?
- Hard things in our lives can still be His working in our lives. Why do we think otherwise?
- Faith will give meaning to our pain. Why do we think pain has no meaning?
- God wants us to collaborate with Him, not Him with us. Why do we think He has to go along with our thoughts?
- The adventure of life is a “sacred” adventure which means God is at the helm. Why do we think we are in control?
Perhaps these thoughts and questions have been the very ones man has been wrestling with since the beginning of time.
The reading of a devotional brings me back to the very Scripture which has been crossing my path over the last few weeks:
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NASB)
The promise had been given to God’s people, who would be in exile for seventy years and suffer greatly during those years. But it was a promise which reminded them, that in spite of difficulty, God still had a plan for them which was good and included a hope and a future.
God wanted them then, and us now, to seek Him and love Him and serve Him wholeheartedly. He promised an end to their captivity (and ours in difficult situations) and restoration.
This word from the prophet gave the people a renewed commitment to God and to His Word. It does the same for us.
It is truly OK to wrestle with questions and doubts.
It is when we bring those very doubts and lay them against the canvas of God’s Word, we discover:
He is God, He is good.
And when that truth floods our souls,
we find ourselves trusting Him once again.
Hard things, and people, can often be challenging for us to navigate. But they can also become precious and valuable tools in our lives. This beautiful tribute to a friend brings a lesson we all can benefit from. Be sure to read “What Your Most Unlikely Friendship Can Teach You”, HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
** This post first appeared HERE and has been edited.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
I was just listening to a podcast about this. We often want to bury questions and doubts. But as you so beautifully put it, we need to “lay them against the canvas of God’s Word.” There we’ll either find answers, or we’ll be so reassured about who God is that we can trust Him even though He doesn’t explain everything to us.
Barbara, I so appreciated your last sentence. It is in Him that we will be reassured of who God is and trust Him, whether or not we understand it all. I so appreciate you!
The Jeremiah passage has brought me peace and comfort so many times over the years, especially during those moments of uncertainty and discomfort. While I may question my circumstances and not understand the “whys” of it all, I am assured knowing that God holds me in the palm of his hand! Such a great reminder to begin a new day. Thank you, Joanne!
Your five thoughts are a truth that should be taught at the dinner table – they are 1) liberating in so many ways, and 2) better equip us for a warrior mentality instead of a sitting-on-a-cushion mentality. Being a Christian isn’t about living a problem-free life that just hums along. It’s about being a follower/child of/disciple of God locked in a life-long and the weapons of our warfare are not the world’s weapons – but oh, the comfort, the peace, the contentment He gives us in that life-long journey to Him. I am glad He knows the plans for each of us!
I like your truths and questions. “Why” indeed do we forget so quickly.
I’ve been pondering some of these same questions, Joanne. God is present with us in the valleys, on the hilltop, and in the journey in between the two.
I have been pondering these same questions, Joanne. Thankfully, God is with us in the valley, on the hilltop, and in the journey between the two.
Wherever did we get the idea that the Christian life should be easy? So many of our misconceptions can be traced back to biblical illiteracy!
i agree … when we get the truth of: “He is God, He is good.” in our souls, it is easier to trust. That is why I like to remind myself of all the times in the past He has come through for me. He has never let me down yet.